Why do powerful men talk more than powerful women?

[James Scola]

A study by the Yale School of Management that tracked the talking habits of male and female US Senators has found that men had a distinctly positive correlation between their rank and the amount they talk, while no such correlation existed among the female subjects.  The researchers believe that men are rewarded for being outspoken and are characterized as creative thinkers and leaders, while women who speak out are considered domineering and presumptuous.

I definitely think there is some truth to this.  Working in a male-dominated industry, my office is a bit different and has a number of female partners and principals.  Even here, there's certainly an attitude that most women who rise to success in our industry are bossy, domineering and play up the "corporate bitch" character that Meryl Streep helped popularize in The Devil Wears Prada.  

http://www.businessinsider.com/why-powerful-women-dont-talk-as-much-as-men-yale-study-2012-5?utm_source=twbutton&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=careers

[Lindsay Hong]

My friends and I were just talking about this. In the workplace, it's a seemingly lose-lose situation for women when dealing with men because if a woman does not assert herself, she is an easy target to be taken advantage of (e.g., lower pay, more work, etc.), but if she does assert herself, she risks being perceived as a bitch.

While this is obviously a generalization, I do think women have to be much more careful about how they conduct themselves in the workplace, especially when in positions of power.

Lindsay Hong
Yale University 2008
808-391-4664